Kerry Calls Erdogan’s Zionism Remark ‘Objectionable’
US Secretary of State John Kerry’s trip to Turkey has been overshadowed by a controversial comment from the Turkish premier equating Zionism to a “crime against humanity.” Kerry said he found the remarks “objectionable.”
Kerry said Friday the United States objected to the comment made on Wednesday by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. “We not only disagree with it, we found it objectionable,” he told a news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (pictured above) on Friday in Ankara.
“I raised the speech with the foreign minister and I will raise it with the prime minister,” Kerry said.
The Secretary of State is on his first trip to the Muslim country since taking office, and is meeting with Turkish leaders to discuss the ongoing civil war in neighboring Syria and bilateral interests ranging from energy security to counterterrorism.
Their discussions come a day after the US announced it would provide direct aid to Syrian rebels for the first time. Washington plans to send food and medical supplies as well as $60 million (45.75 million euros) in extra assistance to the political opposition.
Overshadowed by controversy
Kerry’s arrival in Ankara was overshadowed by the remarks made by Erdogan in Vienna on Wednesday. During a speech at a UN Alliance of Civilizations conference, the Turkish prime minister complained of prejudices against Muslims.